Tracks

1.

Flowers

2.

Day of the Dead

3.

Old Souls

4.

Afterthoughts

5.

1974

6.

The Entire State of Florida

7.

Exorcism

8.

Simone's Crumbs

9.

Temporary States

10.

Ghost Writer

11.

Dreaming with Jill

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Called "one of Chicago's most sublime Jazz outfits" by Time Out Chicago, Loose Assembly features alto saxophonist Greg Ward, vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz, cellist Tomeka Reid and bassist Josh Abrams. Last Year's Ghost documents aural poems Reed created based on the compositional ideas and freeform playing of his band mates, linked by the common theme of what he calls "the traces of people and places past."

"...a well-designed collection of hook-filled tunes and atmospheric interludes... a few more recordings like Last Year's Ghost and Mike Reed will be in the first rank of living American bandleaders." — Bill Shoemaker, Point of Departure

"...a wonderfully unique debut from one of Chicago's great young scenesters. Anyone with an interest in Chicago's vibrant creative music community should not hesitate..." — Jay Collins, Cadence

" Well-paced and parceled, this is one to savor." — Derek Taylor, Bagatellen

"... a perfect balance between unfettered creativity and formal aesthetics... merges the austere reverence of chamber music with the scalding intensity of Chicago's historically ebullient free jazz, making a case for the re-evaluation of commonly held geographic prejudices. Although conventional wisdom dictates New York as the center of the jazz world, documents like this beg to differ." — Troy Collins, All About Jazz

"... Loose Assembly hits the mark. This Chicago group, celebrating the release of its fine new album, makes delicately crafted, subtle jazz that serves as a refreshing alternative to the Chicago skronking norm." — Time Out Chicago

"Each listen seems to bring new rewards..." — Nic Jones, All About Jazz

"...pulled off with convincing panache. It's intelligent, contemporary American music with lashings of PoMo cleverness and plenty to say." — Daniel Spicer, Jazzwise

"Alto, vibes, cello and bass makes up the contingent, but there's
nothing loose about these assemblages; It's tight as a wheelnut." — Brian Morton, The Wire